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Meitei linguistic purism movement

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Meetei Mayek
This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.
Not to be confused with Meitei classical language movement or Meitei associate official language movement.
Further information: Meitei Language Day and Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation

Movement of Meitei language to attain linguistic purism
"Meitei Lon" (literally meaning "Meitei language"), written in Meitei script
English nameMovement of Meitei language to attain linguistic purism
Also known as
  • Manipuri linguistic purism movement
  • Meetei linguistic purism movement
  • Movement of Meitei linguistic purism
  • Movement of Manipuri linguistic purism
  • Movement of Meetei linguistic purism
TypeSocial movement
Theme
Cause
TargetLinguistically pure Meitei language
Organised by
Participants
Part of a series on
Meitei people
History
Culture
People
Religion
Politics

The social movement of Meitei language to attain linguistic purism is advocated by literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar and Northeast India (prominently Assam, Manipur and Tripura).

The language is officially known as Manipuri by the Government of India,[a] the Government of Manipur,[b] the Government of Assam[c] and the Government of Tripura,[d] although it is also referred to as Meitei. The former name is an Indo-Aryan exonym, whereas the latter is the Tibeto-Burman endonym used natively by the Meitei people.

Manipuri Lexicon Committee and its efforts

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See also: Foreign language anxiety, Language shift, Linguistic insecurity, and Schizoglossia

Formation of the Manipuri Lexicon Committee and its warnings

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During August 2014, Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) appealed to all the writers of works in Meitei language in Manipur to avoid the usage of loanwords from other languages. A state level "Manipuri Lexicon Committee" was formed to investigate if there is any word of other languages being used in any books of Meitei literature (Manipuri literature). After the approval of the "Manipuri Lexicon Committee", books for Meitei literature for educational standards, 9th and 10th for the academic session of the year 2015 was availed during September 2014. MEELAL warned that they will cease any book publication if a single book is published, abiding the restrictions on loanwords. MEELAL also announced that the literary departments should not keep any books that abide the restrictions of MEELAL.[7]

Tearing and Banning of books

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See also: Book censorship, Censorship in India, and List of books banned in India

During December 2014, MEELAL tore and banned three Meitei language books, for containing non native words, after getting examined by the Lexicon Committee. Earlier, the Lexicon Committee summoned the authors of the books for correction of the language, but they didn't come. Afterwards, MEELAL tore and banned the books. The names of the three books are (1) "Kainya" (poem collection) by Punshiba Soibam, (2) "Sahitya Neinarol Anouba" (prose) by Bhorot Sanasam, (3) "Manglan Khara Saktam Khara" (short story) by Khundongbam Gokulchandra. MEELAL will banned the books until the authors came to the office of the MEELAL and the Lexicon Committee for correction.[8]

Verification of academic textbooks for students

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During December 2014, MEELAL investigated if there is any content of foreign language words in the books published by the "Board of Secondary Education, Manipur" (BOSEM) for the educational academic standards, 1st to 10th.[9]

Banning of a film and its director

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See also: Meitei cinema, List of Meitei-language films, Film censorship, and List of films banned in India

During December 2014, MEELAL banned Meitei language film named "Court Marriage" and its director "Bimol Phibou". The film was banned for the presence of foreign language words. The director was banned for not responding to the organization's summons.[10]

Banning songs of fusional languages in radio and television channels

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Further information: List of Meitei-language television channels, fusional language, and Freedom of the press in India

During February 2015, Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) took up measures to ban the broadcasting of songs in fusional forms of Meitei language (Manipuri language) on the mass media channels of All India Radio (AIR), Imphal and Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Imphal.[11]

Airport renaming into non-native language's name and public reactions

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See also: First N. Biren Singh ministry, Sanskritisation, Imphal International Airport, and Tikendrajit Singh

During August 2019, the Manipur Legislative Assembly, led by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh, renamed "Tulihal International Airport" (also known as Imphal International Airport for being located in Imphal) as "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport". It was strongly opposed by SEACO (South East Asia Cultural Organisation) because of not using indigenous term in the renamed title and again because of not consulting people of Manipur before renaming. At the same time, Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) urged the Manipur Government to withdraw its decision and rename the airport using indigenous names (words). The former official name "Tulihal International Airport" was named after "Ebudhou Tulihal", a Meitei guardian deity of the area of the airport. The association suggested that "Athouba Koirengsana" (which is a Meitei language name of Bir Tikendrajit himself) could be used to rename "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport" as the term "Bir Tikendrajit" isn't indigenous Meitei language name. The association said that the "Athouba Koirengsana International Airport" (a proposed title using indigenous equivalent name of the same person) will be more acceptable to the people of Manipur. The "Khongjom War Memorial Trust" also showed opposition to the government's action.[12][13][14]

Plan to rename traditional script into non-native language's name and public reactions

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See also: Sanskritisation and Meitei script movement

Oppositions to 2021 governmental sanskritisation attempts

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See also: First N. Biren Singh ministry

During December 2021, Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) showed strong opposition to the Government of Manipur's Education Minister’s announcement regarding the initiatives in renaming of the pure Meitei term "Meetei Mayek" (lit. "Meitei script"[e]) into the mixed term, "Manipuri Mayek" (lit. "Manipuri script")[f]. MEELAL warned the minister that the general public, along with the MEELAL, is ready for agitation if he (the minister) tries to rename Meetei Mayek into "Manipuri Mayek".[15][16][17]

Oppositions to 2022 governmental sanskritisation attempts

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See also: Second N. Biren Singh ministry

During June 2022, the Government of Manipur once again planned to officially rename the Meitei script from "Meetei Mayek" into "Manipuri Mayek". MEELAL resisted against the Government of Manipur's decision to change the nomenclature from Meetei Mayek (as already published in the "Manipur Gazettee") to "Manipur Mayek". At the same time, MEELAL urged the people of Manipur for public participation in it.[18]

Participating associations and organizations

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See also

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Further reading

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  • "Changing nature of Meiteilon – Pabung / Papa". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  • "Changing nature of Meiteilon Pabung Papa By Ringo Pebam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  • "Neire Mei Taare words of the new generation By Ringo Pebam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 August 2022.

References

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  1. ^ where it is a constitutionally official scheduled language
  2. ^ where it is a main official language
  3. ^ where it is an additional official language
  4. ^ where it is a state recognised literary language (educational language)
  5. ^ The term "Meetei" is a traditional term in Meitei language. So, it is linguistically pure.
  6. ^ The term "Manipuri" is a Sanskrit loanword used in the Meitei language.
  1. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport Opposition raised against new name". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  4. ^ "An Incendiary Script". outlookindia.com. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport Opposition raised against new name". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  7. ^ "MEELAL for pure Manipuri language - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  8. ^ Gurumayum, William (3 December 2014). "Three Manipuri books banned for containing foreign language - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  9. ^ Gurumayum, William (3 December 2014). "Three Manipuri books banned for containing foreign language - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  10. ^ Gurumayum, William (3 December 2014). "Three Manipuri books banned for containing foreign language - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  11. ^ "MEELAL to ban 'fusional' Manipuri songs : 24th feb15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport Opposition raised against new name". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Manipur passes resolution to rename Imphal Airport in honour of Bir Tikendrajit". The Indian Express. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  15. ^ "MEELAL opposes move to rename 'Meetei Mayek'". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  16. ^ "MEELAL denounces Education Minister's statement". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Attempt to rename Meetei Mayek wrong: MEELAL : 23rd aug22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  18. ^ "MEELAL reacts to objections on Meetei Mayek : 28th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport Opposition raised against new name". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  22. ^ "An Incendiary Script". outlookindia.com. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Renaming of Imphal Int'l Airport evokes reactions; orgs. demand revocation of resolution - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  24. ^ "Bir Tikendrajit International Airport Opposition raised against new name". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
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